Soccer Science and coaching

Saturday, 4 May 2013

Soccer Passing Drills for Through
Passing

I like to have a target man
for passes into feet play off the last defender because you can execute
variations of up back and through off that by dropping the ball back to
midfielder for a through pass off the first diagonal between the CB and FB or
for through ball shorter but right down the line behind a FB. Use the holdup
play of your ST to determine where and how you build the through pass by which
areas of space you open off it. But those primary areas behind the FB and in
between CB+FB are key for me. Start working off those patterns and you can get
pull back open from edge of the area back in.

I like to do this type of game with angled goals to create
creative passing moves:

Half Field Soccer Passing Drills2 Goals facing outwards so you have to score from behind5v5 with GK and 1 attacker acting as target player

The 5 are in the middle and must look for various through
balls diagonals, short, down the line etc in order to penetrate through and
wide. The finish a shot at goal. Add challenges where you see fit.

I do other soccer passing drills for playing through a block:

45x40 areas with cones on the corners to mark middle zone
lines. 5v5 no keeper or 4v4 keeper. Goals only count if all the team is in the
middle area so in order score they have to play through and fast before the
opposing block gathers. It’s a good one for challenging how you make through
passes in central areas. I use an "around the outside" challenge to
progress it. Where I stipulate that once the team has possession the must
attack by going around the outside. So they must move again from a central area
to a wide area then back in with a cross of through pass wide. Again good for
looking for alternate angle.

Also in my soccer passing drills I use "do not
enter" areas in spaces behind or around the defence for defenders in 7v7,
8v8. I then have runs made into those areas and look for combinations where you
might work it through. It makes it easy to point out positional failing in
opponents when you have an area to work with. Making it easier to recognize
which pass needs playing where and gives players an understanding of the value
of attacking certain areas by going around or through early. You can use
some cone soccer passing drills liek the ones below to build technical
competence.

From a technical perspective and one of illustrating
situations to players I use these two set ups for cones and final third through
passing(you can work number 2 left or right side:

1 *
*

*
*

2 *

*
*

Soccer passing drills like these cone drills gives you a
point of reference when your players are in front of goal for the kind through passing
and areas I like to work in. it can be progressed to 3v2+gk or 4v3+gk so you
can work you combinations and passing angles all under pressure and on a
relatively fast paced set up.

Sunday, 28 April 2013

Using 5v5 for Player

Development

Reducing the play to 5v5 allows for all of
the aspects present in 11 v11 being coached thus creating better results faster
which become more consistent with practice.

5v5 is good for developing players as it allows them
to do many things such as allowing frequent touches of the ball, reinforcing possession
and regaining of possession as an enjoyable aspect of play, develops fitness,
presents chances to score goals often, develops fast decision making, easily
adaptable to suit various coaching objectives. Goal keepers can also be coached.

Use a basic area of 50yards length by 30 yards
width this be changed depending on what type of game the coach like to developed
if the coach likes to developed lots of forward running and passing penetration
then the pitch can be made more narrow and longer or if the coach would like to
to spread the play the pitch can be made wide with various conditions for
crossing and such.

This good because changing the environment means
they have to think for themselves what might work just like in a game my player’s
decision making and problem solving increased.

The role the coach should play in this format is
merely a facilitator who decides the constricts of the game this allows to the
players to enjoy their learning more and at the same time learn more as they
are thinking more.

This is also a good format to analyse the players
by asking questions such as;

If players are comfortable and confident playing
against an opponent individually (dribbling).If players are capable of maintaining possession
of the ball both as individuals and as a group.If players can create opportunities to score goals
both individually and as a group.If players are successful at scoring goals.If players are composed while trying to regain
possession of the ball (defending).If players can adapt to the unexpected and adjust
their behaviour and improvise appropriately.

When the team has possession of the ball it can
learn:

Employing different build up plays using a variety
of different passing such as using the width or being direct, learn to
determine effective team shape such as diamond when in a group of four, create
individual or team scoring chances, learn correct dribbling and turning and
also develop game intelligence.

Decision making is developed decision by
concentrating on when to dribble when to pass, when to take risk, evaluating
the change of play, and technique selection such as when to shoot, pass dribble
or change the direction or play. Psychology can also be coached during the game
such as agression, confidence.

Only basic rules are used such as no offside,
restarts after a goal. Throw ins can be allowed but no corners, freekicks and
penalties allowed.

Fitness can also be trained by changing number of touches
and placing conditions on how much a player runs on different pitch sizes.

Saturday, 27 April 2013

AJAX FC Football Fitness Test

The players are warmed up as normal and the drill is carried out with a ball as much as possible

1.the ball is thrown to player who side foots the ball back alternating between left and right while the player runs on the spot.

2.running on the spot and jumping to head the ball 20 times.

3.same as 1 this time with instep of foot

4.performed the same as 2 but sideways jumps either side of a cone are introduced player jumps left to right and vice versa while returning the ball

5.same as 1 except the player uses chest control before return.

6 player stand with his back to the coach and the coach shouts left or right in the direction of the shoulder the ball will thrown to the player makes a quick turn to head to the ball back to the coach.

These test the muscles and basic movements which the player will repeatedly face during a match situation

9. 6 ball are placed on in the penalty area at 1 end of a pitch the players must pass each ball to the opposite penalty area and back first using the inside and then the instep of the foot

Following this is a Swedish bench session which is designed to test the players endurance

10.30 step ups are performed

11.30 straddle jumps are performed

12.30 side to side jumps over the bench are performed

13.the bench is turned on its side and 20 reps of one touch passing are performed first with the inside and then the instep of the foot

The final set of or drills allow the player to shoot at goal

14.the player stand at the edge of the penalty area and the ball is rolled to both the left and the right foot 10 times each at different angles the player then shoots at the goal keeper

15.speed shooting 10 balls are lined across the penalty area the player shoots at the goal keeper

16. the same as 14 but the balls are delivered in the air for the player to volley first time or following a bounce.

17.the same as the above except the coach can cross the ball 10 times each from either side for header or volley

18.the player passes the ball to coach then coach makes a shout left or tight then lays off for a one touch finish the coach can attempt to hide the direction of the lay off to test concentration and anticipation. this is done ten times.

To increase the difficulty of the test the reps on each part can be increased by 10.

These are designed to test the players in situations which occur during a match at a high intensity and also to test physical and mental endurance over a prolonged period as it would be tested during a match.The main use was to test player fitness after injury, I am working on adapting these to be more inclusive of a whole team.

Repeated
Short Sprinting= 2-4 series of 6-10 sprints of 15 m with opponent + finishing
on goal 10 seconds rest between sprints with 4 minutes rest between series.

Training method for maximising recovery procces

Extensive Interval Training=2 series of 6-10
games of 3 minutes 3 v 3 with 3-1 minutes rest between games and 4 minutes rest
between series

Training method to maximise explosiveness

Sprinting Speed= 2-4 series of 8-10 sprints of
5 m with opponent + finishing on goal with 30 seconds rest between sprints and
4 minutes rest between series

Periodization for Football Training

After building the base of fitness above the
focus is then periodization of training. This again uses global problem solving
drills designed with Hiddinks two pronged approach in mind.

All Periodization for Football methods contain elements like:

– duration of work

– number of
repetitions

– number of
series

– rest
between repetitions

– rest
between series

These elements within a training method can be
used to develop overload during training. Forexample, a longer duration of work
or a higher number of repetitions. The remaining questionis: which element do
you change in what sequence and in what moment of time?

Extensive Endurance Training

3-9 games of 10 minutes 11 v 11 2 minutes rest
between games

step 1. 10 min / rest 3 -2 min

step 2. 10 min / rest 4- 2 min

step 3. 10 min /
rest 5- 2 min

step 4. 10
min/ rest 6 -2 min

step 5. 10 min/ rest 7- 2 min

step 6. 10 min
/rest 8- 2 min

step 7. 10
min /rest 9- 2 min

Intensive Endurance Training

5-9 games of 8 minutes 7 v 7 with 2 minutes
rest between games

step 1. 8
min/rest 5- 2 min

step 2. 8 min / rest 6 -2 min

step 3. 8 min
/rest 7- 2 min

step 4. 8
min /rest 8- 2 min

step 5.8
min /rest 9 -2 min

Extensive
Interval Training

2 series of 6-10 games of 3 minutes 3v3 with
3-1 minutes rest between games and 4 minutes rest between series

step 1. 3 min/ 6 games 3 min rest /2- 4 min

step 2. 3
min/ 6 games 2.5 min rest/2 -4 min

step 3. 3
min/ 6 games 2 min rest /2- 4 min

step 4. 3
min/ 6 games 1.5 min rest / 2- 4 min

step 5. 3
min/ 6 games 1 min rest /2- 4 min

step 6. 3
min/ 7 games 1 min rest /2 -4 min

step 7. 3
min/ 8 games 1 min rest / 2- 4 min

step 8. 3
min/ 9 games 1 min rest /2 -4 min

step 9. 3
min /10 games 1 min rest / 2- 4 min

Repeated Short Sprinting

2-4 series
of 6-10 sprints of 15 metres with opponent + finishing on goal with 10 seconds
rest between sprints and 4 minutes rest between series.

step 1. 15
m /6- 2 reps/10 sec /4 min

step 2. 15
m /7 -2 reps/10 sec/ 4 min

step 3. 15
m /8 -2 reps/10 sec /4 min

step 4. 15
m/ 9 -2 reps/10 sec /4 min

step 5. 15
m /10- 2reps/ 10 sec/ 4 min

step 6. 15
m /10 -3reps/ 10 sec /4 min

step 7. 15
m /10- 4 reps/10 sec /4 min

Sprinting Speed

2-4 series
of 8-10 sprints of 5 metres with opponent + finishing on goal with 30 seconds
rest between sprints and 4 minutes rest between series

step 1. 5 m
/8 2 reps/ 30 sec /4 min

step 2. 5
m/ 9 2 reps/30 sec /4 min

step 3. 5 m
/10 2 reps/30 sec /4 min

step 4. 5 m
/8 3 reps/30 sec /4 min

step 5. 5 m
/9 3 reps/ 30 sec /4 min

step 6. 5 m
/10 3reps/ 30 sec/ 4 min

step 7. 5
m/ 8 4 reps/ 30 sec /4 min

step 8. 5 m
/9 4 reps/30 sec /4 min

step 9. 5
m/ 10 4 reps/30 sec /4 min

Guide lines for effective training sessions

As well as
following the above concepts there are certain guidelines for effective
training sessions:

1. Only football activities should be used
as the main ways to increase fitness.

2. Intensity should not be allowed to drop
during training there should always be some form of over load present.

3. The coach has the final say on all
training sessions based on what his targets are i.e he decides which areas
should be worked on more intensely depending on what need improving the most.

4. Every player must do exactly what they
are instructed to do in order for the system to run properly. This provides the
organisational base on which problem solving and initiative can be allowed.
Tactical rules are kept very simple.

5. As the session progresses tactical rules
are taken more strictly to improve the ability to function effectively tacticly
when fatigued, the coaches role is to point out where players make mistakes
when they fatigue and then direct how to improve this area.

6. If there is a solution to a problem
decided upon the every aspect of performance relating to that solution must be
performed with full discipline and work rate, as allowing players to become
slack in skipping good habits is damaging to the team discipline and
organisation.

7. Rest sessions should be used for problem
solving questions which relate to the tactical situations the team are facing.

8. Interventions are made only up to the
point where the tactical aims are performed effectively for a given situation
after this the exercises will be repeated for habit building and fitness.

9. The aim of tactical games is to focus on
reading the situation, solving problems and decision making as these areas when
trained properly create a dramatic improvement in performance.

Periodization for Football- additional notes:

Week 1 and
week 2 you play 11v11/10v10/9v9/8v8 with always 2 min rest, it's a Extensive
Endurance training because the HR is between 130 and 160. If you go then to
week 3 and 4 you play 7v7/6v6/5v5 with always 2 min rest, now it's a Intensive
Endurance Training because there are not so much players on the field and there
is more action the HR is between 150 and 185. In week 5 and 6 you go to games
with 4v4 and 3v3 this is the most intensive part and this is the Extensive
Interval Training. This games are played to get the phosphate system faster
recover.For example this is the the list for Extensive Interval Training:.

step
1. 2 times 6x1min
/ 3min rest

step 2 2 times
6x1min / 2.5min rest

step 3 2 times
6x1min / 2min rest

step 4 2 times
6x1min / 1.5min rest

step 5 2 times
6x1min / 1min rest

step 6 2 times
6x1.5min /1min rest

step 7 2 times
6x2min /1 min rest

step 8 2 times
6x2.5min /1min rest

step 9 2 times
6x3min /1min rest

step10 2 times
7x3min /1min rest

step11 2 times
8x3min /1min rest

step12 2 times
9x3min /1min rest

step13 2 times
10x3min / 1min rest

there is
always a 4min break between the series.

First of
all you have to get smaller rest times, then you can start to get bigger work
time. I work that way and the HR went in the rest time down, after 6 months of work,
from 120 in the rest to 100 in the rest,
that means that my players recover faster.

If have
also the times for the other games if someone needs them.

For example
it's week 5. Every step is one practice. If you have step one in your schedule
you play 1min 3v3, than make a 3 min break, repeat this 6 times.... -> this
is 1 series

now you
have a 4min break

and then
you repeat the same like in series one, this is all in one practice.

You can
make this drill only once a week (wends day) because you need 72h of super
compensation. In week 6 you play again 3v3 or 4v4 but now you play step 2!

Then you
start again with week 1. Remember it's now extensive endurance training. So the
next time you play 3v3 or 4v4 will be again in 5th week or circle 2.

Periodization for Football Weekly Structure

Saturday :
MATCH

Sunday:
Recovery like soccer-tennis

Monday:
Free day

Thursday:
Tactic practice to get ready for wends day

Wendsday:
Condition ---> that's the day you put in the different steps

Thursday:
Tactical + Underload (half of the conditional training in the next week, so the
body can a Little bit adjust to the next hard training on wends day)

step1 is
(6x15m sprint with 10 sec rest) 2 series of this with 4 min rest between

There are 3
types of sprinting.

1. Player 1
sprints from point A to point B. ---> the player has a explosion

2. Player 1
sprints with player 2 from point A to point B in a competition. ---> bigger
explosion

3. Player 1
sprints with player 2 in a competition after the ball, who will touch the ball
first---> the biggest explosion, this means against OPPONENT when it was
posted in the post before by another user.

In week
5 and 6 there are power and speed activities that are always one on one for the ball.

step one is
for example:

6x 5m with
30sec rest

4min rest

4x15m with
45sec rest

4min rest

2x25m witch
60 sec rest

Why so much rest?

You need to
maintain an explosion every time, and for this you need a full phosphate
system. 5m is a Small bite of ATP, 15m is a bigger bite of ATP and 25 is an
even bigger bite of ATP. So you get more dynamic starts from your players.

Thursday, 18 April 2013

The Block Defence in Football

For the purpose of this post on the Block Defence in football the example in the following session will be presented for a 4-4-2. The Block Defence in football can be adapted to any system of play.

The following session was used to pass a high level European football coaching licence and was planned by Peter North. The session topic for examination was to plan and conduct a session aimed at full team defence in football.

Defensive organization of the
4-4-2

The objective of the session is to organize the 4-4-2 as a defensive block. The Block Defence in football is used to coordinate quickly the full 11 behind the ball and concentrated in a well organized way.

Warm up

-Jogging,sprints, basic ball work etc
-1v1 on one goal
defenders pass to attacker who must then pass the defender to score, refresh basic
1v1 principles.

The reasoning of having a 1v1 warm up drill is to refresh and
focus the basic principles of defending in a 1v1 situation. 1v1 will be worked
on during the session as it relates to the position of the ball, the position
of the opponents and the areas of space which are attacked by the opponent.

Why has the session focused on defending as a block?

Block defending is a variation on zone defending, by organising
players into blocks rather than individual zones players can learn the roles they
must play while defending in a given formation. All that is required is to
simplify the principles of defending for that system into roles and responsibilities.

The block system is based on organising defending units based on
maximising the principles of defensive play:

1.Delay

2.Depth

3.Balance

4.Concentration

5.Control/Restraint

This done by using a series of progressive drills, small sided games,
phase of play and coaching in the game which focuses on coaching aspects of
play based on how they relate to the unit. The methods focus their coaching
points within the activities in the following way:

1.The role of the first defender pressuring the
player on the ball(1v1)

2.The role of the second defender to provide cover
for the first defender and prevent runs of the supporting player for the
opponent on the ball such as a player overlapping a player on the ball(2v2)

3.The role of the second, third and fourth defender
in covering the space against the nearest supporting players of the opponent in
this case three players in a supporting block(3v3).

4.The movement and communication of a block of four
against the opponents block of four (4v4).

The starts by working the defending back four in one block then working
the midfield block and then integrating the two into a block of 8 and focusing
on how to cover each block.

All of the above aspects 1v1,2v2, 3v3 and 4v4 are worked on focusing on
how they relate to working in a block of 8 at the same time as integrating the
goalkeeper in phase of play.

This the followed by coaching in the game which is based on integrating
the attacking players with the block of 8 creating a whole 4-4-2 block in order
to defend.

Patterns and specific shifts specific for the 4-4-2 which are based on
constricted space and keeping numerical superiority around the ball in your own
half.

Session Phase 1-Block
Defending in a 4-4-2 with a focus on the Back Four and Midfield BlocksActivity 1-The Back FourSSG-The Back FourArea-Defensive ThirdOrganization- set up four different cones-red,white,blue and yellow(or
what ever you have), put these out in the positions the back four would be in.
Try to make distance between realistic.Performance of activity- Shout out a cone for example Red, the player
will then move to PRESSURE the cone while the other three move to cover.Coaching Points
1.Body position when pressuring in relation to supporting players.
2.Organisation of the 3 support players along the 1 up 3 back method.3. Comminication.Progression- SSGArea-Defending ThirdOrganization-Add a player onto each of the cones, add a one small goal
behing each defender.Performance of Activity- Players on the cones must attempt to pass the
the ball through one of the small goals.Coaching Points
Coach the above but add:
1-Pressuring the ball, Where to SHOW the Player inside or outside.
2-Deny penetration, Bend runs,etc
3-Support and balance.
4-Moving when the ball does.Activity 2-Midefield BlockSSG-The Midfield FourArea-Midfield FourOrganization- set up four different cones-red,white,blue and yellow(or
what ever you have), put these out in the positions the back four would be in.
Try to make distance between realistic.Performance of activity- Shout out a cone for example Red, the player
will then move to PRESSURE the cone while the other three move to cover.Coaching Points
1.Body position when pressuring in relaion to supporting players.
2.Organisation of the 3 support players along the 1 up 3 back method.
3.Comminication.Progression- SSGArea-Midfield ThirdOrganization-Add a player onto each of the cones, add a one small goal behind each defender.Performance of Activity- Players on the cones must attempt to pass the
the ball through one of the small goals.Coaching Points
Coach the above but add:
1-Pressuring the ball, Where to SHOW the Player inside or outside.
2-Deny penetration, Bend runs,etc
3-Support and balance.
4-Moving when the ball does.

The use of 4v4 small sided games and drills in this phase is
designed to be “global” in nature. Working on all four performance aspects as
they relate to the system and aim, this is done as follows:

·Fitness is worked on by
repeating the movement to create stress on the aerobic system.

·Technical aspects are
worked on by focusing on 1v1defending principles as above.

·Tactical aspects are
also worked as outlined above with the focus on the block.

·Psychological aspects
are worked on by focusing on the mentality to press ,communication,
concentration and decision making.

Session Phase 2-Defending as a Block of 8 adding Back Four to Midfeiled
Four.

Activity-Phase of Play 11v8+1GK

Area-Full PitchOrganization- set up the block of 8 and integrate the above two
activities.Performance of Activity- 11 attackers after starting in their own half
must attempt to break down the block of 8, upon losing possession the play is re-set
and repeated. If you have done the previous phase of the session correctly the
block will be very difficult to attack.Coaching Points
1-Integrate the role of the GK
2-1 up 3 back in midfield with support, when a midfield player pressure the
ball the correspondig defender covers the SPACE behind.
3-Pressure,Cover and Balance.
4-Remaining compact.
5-Devolop timing and rythem in defensive SHIFTS.

Session Phase 3- 11v11 Integrate the strikers and focus on Defensive
SHIFTS to create numerical superiority around the ball

Activity-Coaching in a Full Game working on team Patterns
and Organization

Area-Full PitchOrganization-11 attackers must attempt to attack the 4-4-2 with EVERY
defending player working together as a Block.Performance of Activity-Defenders must defend with there Block
Mentality.When possession of the bal is lost attack re-sets in own half.Coaching Points
1-Integrate the strikers with the block of 8, work on dropping into midfield
and preventing back passing and inviting the Opponent in oen direction to make
play predictable.
2-Defensive SHIFTS to create numerical superiority around the ball in own half.

The aims of this aspects of the session are to integrate all of
the above and work on patterns of play which are specific to defending as a
4-4-2 with a focus on :

1.Shifts for numerical
superiority around the ball in own half.

2.The role of strikers in
dropping to press in the midfield.

3.Working on coaching
moments in real games situations which aim to further improve understanding of
1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 4v4 in different areas of the pitch as they relate to in game
defensive tactics for the 4-4-2.

The aim of this session is to create a format which can coach
the basic tactical elements of 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 and 4v4. At the same time the
format enables the defence, midfield and attack to be integrated thus allowing
for the principles of play in defending to maximise and the refined
specifically for the 4-4-2.

Progression

Remove the re-set condition and integrate basic organization for set plays.

Refine points of previous activity to further enhance the quality of your defence in football situations.

Develop Football Skill the Manchester United Way

Developing Football Skill

By
Rene Maulensteen

What should be the coaches aims for the session to develop football skill?

Create football skill drills/games which revolve around technical challenges

Cover all learning methods
during the session

The final aim of the session
should be shaped and achieved by the technical challenges

Structure the drills as much
as possible but remove the structured coaching

Avoid complexity

Each challenges should be
built on as templete for the full game scenario

Perform the same skill on
both feet

The aim is mastery
of technique in a problem solving setting- the more techniques a
player is able to do and the more intelligently they can be applied the
more effective they will be during performance

Give the players time with
the ball when ever possible

Deliberate practice within the context of the game
1

Deliberate
practice should not be focused on just one movement but should make use of
variable pracitce to maximise results

Football skill Drills/games should flow
easily to keep high interest

Use game realistic circuits
which involve all of the following 1-Moving off the ball revolving around
switching positions 2-Movement of the ball with patterns based on non
switching positions 3- Continous movement 4-Contact on the ball using a
variety of parts of the foot/other body parts. Preferably ending with a
shot at goal each should have a few basic progressions.

Deliberate practice within the context of the game
2Build on the pattern play above to create problems within the specific
context of the game during a small sided games using 2v2 and then 4v4 games.

2v2 Football Skill

Start from 2v2
toach the first player to the ball and the supporting player combined with
the player on te ball and support player

Use vairations of end zones,
goals and nuetral players or wing/target players

4v4 Football Skill

These should be
built on the technique challenges of the previous 2v2

Use 4 main formats:

4v4+GK 25x25 yard grid

4v4 two goals game 30x25
yard grid

4v4 four goals game 25x25
yard grid

4v4 end line/zone games
25x20 yard grid

Main coaching points during this part of the
session:

Ball Control

1v1 skills

Creative play

Passing and movement at high
speed

What advantages will this give?The main advantage is to give the players the dual benifit of deliberate
practice and guided discovery. By repeating variations of techniques within
problem solving settings players begin to think more effectively during
performance. Using the above two formats the players can do this in the context
of the principles of play while still getting high touches.

Internalising the coaching pointsIt is not enough for coaching points to be
practiced they need to be internalised mentaly.Use the Speak, Show and Do method.

Tell the player as simply as posibble what you will do, show via drawing
a diagram then perform the finished move, skill, pattern ect.Covering all
learning styles and using three layers of reinforcement of the coaching points
to focus plyer mentaly. Deliberate practice with out understanding and
motivation can cause deteriation of skill level both on a physical and mental
level.

The main coaching areas for development

Good positioning
both attack and defending

1v1

Fighting for second balls

Movement off the ball both
attacking/ defending

The use of techniques and football skill to
solve tactical problems

Understanding of tactics

Passing and possession

High speed of play

organisation of set plays

When creating problems for players to solve players
should be asked how they would use techniques combined with right
tactics to help them solve situations where the teams against them
are capable of aspects of any of the above of their sub groups.

Six variables contributing to winning games

Winning 1v1 situations

High
work rate

Team
cohesion

Playing
to set system of play or game plan

Winning
mentality

Goals
and saves

Six factors of effective performance

Athletic skills

High
range of techniques mastered

Game
intelligence

High
speed of play under pressure

After considering the
development of players for the game in order to get peak results the aim should
be to take a players natural potential in as many of the above 10 areas
as possible and enhance it as much as possible .....then keep them there for
aslong as possible. Development should be judged by how much a player
contributes with individual factors to the above team factors.

Insights from Carlo Ancelotti

The Carlo Ancelotti
4-3-2-1

Attack

The wings
are never covered permanently during the attack, attacking is about
unpredictability and movement off the ball so there will be alternating attacks
from centre to wide positions. Width will be provided by different players at
different times. Nothing is static here.

Most of the
time the width will come from fullbacks who should be skilled in attack as well
as his defensive tasks. If the fullbacks can't control the width then a
midfield player will control it, if not then the forward will move. The trigger
for switching is each players position at the moment of transition.

The main
method of attack is fast break attacks from the point the ball regained,
anything which slows down attacks is to be avoided. The main advantage present
in this system is the 2 players between the lines of defence and attack.

Defending Movements

The key to
the defence is a "collapsing" movement which is aimed at creating
depth behind the ball.

Carlo Ancelotti
asks for three phases of transition once the ball is lost:

1-Pressure
the ball carrier while while re-organising behind the ball.

2-Pressure
the area around the ball while failing back.

3-If the
ball has not been regained fail back to own half before pressuring the ball
again.

If the ball
is lost high up the pitch in a wide the attacking midfield player will press
the players with the ball. The second attacking midfield player will drop into
midfield while the nearest midfield players will mark the opposing midfield
players clost to the ball to prevent passing combination play.

If the ball
is lost in midfield on the flank the midfield player will pressure while the
attacking midfield player and fullback will cover passing options. Support
players will adjust and balance the midfield closing the central areas of the
pitch.

If the ball
is in the area of the full back he will pressure 1v1 with other midfield and
defending players providing support with either man marking or doubling up as
needed.

For the
phases of transition to work it vital that the ball carrier be pressured
effectively. Ancelotti selected a collapsing defence in order to avoid counter
attacks.

The
midfield is balanced by the free attacking midfield midfield player dropping
into any free space, while the striker supports to pressuring attacking
midfield player.

Carlo Ancelotti
asks his forward players to defend from the front based on how many defenders
are in the opposing team back line, if 4 defenders are used the 1 striker will
cover both centre backs making movements between the 2. If the opponent defends
with 3 players the 2 attacking midfielders push up to make a 3v3 with 1 on each
defender.

One
weakness which must be worked on is defending against long switching of play
which can leave a fullback isolated on one side with weak support.

The focus
is placed on closing down the center of the pitch with closest midfield players
to the ball man marked by midfield players where possible.

Training

In training Carlo Ancelotti Focused on:

Positional
tasks for defenders both individual and group.

Attacking
from the point the ball is regained with general principles which the players
should follow, no set patterns are used players are encouraged to experiment with attacking tactics but within the confines of the basic principles
provided.

Effective
movement off the ball is the main attacking focus.

Use of many
small sided games based on creating numerical superiority in key areas, games
for pressing and precise attacking combinations are also used.

Hope that
helps in some way.

Apologies
for the shortness of the post I vastly underestimated the amount of material I
have on Carlo Ancelotti to post there is to much , but as promised I will post
a session that provides an example of some of the key ideas of Carlo Ancelotti and how
he refines the attacking movements of his forwards in either a 4-3-2-1 or 4-3-1-2.

Carlo Ancelotti Sample
Session

Warm up-25 mins, half field coned off, warm up is
dynamic alternating between sequence passing moves using cone play,dynamic
stretching, varied speed runs and movement drills with a ball. The long warm up
is aimed at preparing the players in mental areas not just physical. Injury
prevention is also a key area in mind.

Training
then takes place in a 30x30 yard grid in front of the penalty area, with one
large goal plus GK. The training progresses from attacking 1v1 to shoot into
midfield support and shooting. These are some of the basic moves which
Ancelotti refines with his players in order to create shooting chances in key
central areas. Movements, techniques and decision making are refined in
constantly in drills of this nature. Pressure is a constant factor in Ancelotti
methodology. The next part is to refine the movements of 2 forwards who
Ancelotti says must be capable of winning a 2v2 with 2 centre backs. The
session progresses onto 3v2 and finally ending with a small sided game in 40x30
yard grid. To warm down players engage in free play with no coaching in relaxed
conditions.

Progression 1 (attacking 1v1 to shoot central areas)- 5
mins,the defender who is positioned in the top right corner of the square passes
to the defender who is positioned in the middle of the bottom end line. The
attacker must beat the defender to create a shot from inside the grid.The drill
is high paced with attacker aiming to create accurate shots from the area just
in front of goal.

Progression 2 (Recieve ,Turn and Shoot)-5 mins, the ball is
thrown out to a player near the centre circle who passes into the attacker who
must receive under pressure with his back to goal, turn and aim to force a quick shot as in
progression 1.

Progression 3 -5 mins,(Unmarking 1v1 to shoot) the ball is
passed to a player positioned outside the centre circle, the attacker must move
against the defender 1v1 and indicate whether the server should pass into space
or into feet and then attempt to beat the defender to create a shot.

Progression 4 -5 mins (Midfield support, receive and shoot),
the ball is passed out to a player positioned on the edge of the centre circle
who then passes to the attacker who must pass back first time for the midfield
player to play a through pass for the striker to receive and then attempt to
beat the defender then shoot. The aim is to practice the basic movement of
coming towards the ball to draw the defender in, passing first time back the
passer and then making a run into the space behind the defender from a pass
from the support player. This is a very simple move for creating space and can
be very effective in front of goal.

Progression 5 -2v2-5 mins, the drill is in the same area of
the previous 1v1 and begins the same way as progression 4 the difference in
this progression is that an extra defender and attacker added and must use the
movements learnt in the previous progressions to win 2v2. Speed is again
essential here Carlo Ancelotti aims for effective shots and combinations from key
central square just in front of the penalty area.

Progression 6 -3v2, the area is the same and the progression
from 2v2 is that the aim is to involve the attacking midfield player, the major
aim is to refine runs made to penetrate, the main move refined is the overlap.
Here the 3 forwards combine all the previous moves with the off the ball
movement of the attacking midfield player. The focus again is on attacking with
a high speed of play and creating shooting chances in the key central area.

Progression 7 -6v6 with 2 Goal Keepers, 15 mins, the area is
expanded to 40 yards wide and another large goal is added. The aim is to
perfect attacking movements with the correct decision and speed of play, the
challenge of the game is to play minimal touches when needed, 1 touch when
needed and to know when to take an extra touch.Carlo Ancelotti believes that
anything that slows the game down should be avoided, to do this a player must
know when to take no touches, when to take 1 touch and when to take 2 or more. The
aim is to produce attacking moves which have a fluid momentum where no player
takes more touches than are needed and can do this under pressure. To warm down
the players then play free play free of coaching in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Goal
Keeper is in the normal goal, the 30x30 yard box is just in front of the penalty
area.

The session
was to sharpen for a champions league game, nd it was the first of a week
cycle, Carlo Ancelotti bases his training on that done by Saachi, the training loads,
intensity, coaching methods etc are all similar. The drills would be revisited
as it were at different times in the season. The principles in terms of speed
of play are central to Carlo Ancelottis thinking.

This is one
of many sessions from my own Milan training journals which date back to Saachi.
Including tactics, coaching points, fitness training systems etc.

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I am a Strength and Conditioning Coach with 11 years of experience and a graduate of LJMU in Liverpool, England. My expertise are in Biomechanics, Injury Prevention, Performance Psychology and Periodization. I combine this skill set with my background in military conditioning, teaching and coaching science. I provide a uniquely client-focused, global approach.

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